Chinese antiquity (1.7 million years ago to 2,000 BCE) begins at the evolution of human beings, the pithecanthropes, and continues through to a matriarchal clan period, the legend of San Wu Huang Di (the three emperors and the five kings) until the founding of the first dynasty, the Xia.

Fossils discovered in Kaiyuan in the southwestern province of Yunnan established the presence of the first human beings in China. The man of Yuan Mou, China's first primitive, was alive some 1.7 million years ago. The second major discovery was Kou Zhou Dian, the "Peking Man", who was alive some 700,000 years ago. At that period, humans mastered fire and made tools. Neolithic remains were later found across the country dating back to 10,000 years.

The fall of the matriarchal society, brought the establishment of monogamy and primitive society fragmented.

During this period full of myths and legends, the Hua Xia tribes settled in the He Dong basin and in the Guan Zhong plains. Emperor Yandi, Huangdi and their descendants such as Yao, Shun, and Yu played a vital role in the transition from a primitive to a slavery-based society. The Xia Dynasty's founding ends antiquity and marks the beginning of the civilization of ancient China.

The Legend of the Three August Ones and the Five Emperors (San Huang Wu Di)

San Huang Di Wu's story starts around 2,100 BCE. Convention considers the Three August Ones as Fu Xi, Nu Wa and Shen No, while the five Emperors as Huangdi, Zhuan Xu, Di Ku, Yao Di and Shun.

Fu Xi is supposed to have not only laid down the foundations of the Chinese script, but also invented the calendar, and started the use of metals, cattle breeding, fishing and house building. China's first discovered form of writing in China dates back to 5,000 years ago. Fu Xi is also seen as the representative of early Chinese civilization.

During ethnic wars in northern China, Huangdi defeated Chiyou by allying with Yandi. Today's Han consider these two victorious chiefs of the Huaxia as their ancestors. The Chinese credit Huangdi with the invention of Feng Shui, currency, metallurgy, the sexagesimal cycle, the division of government into six ministries, the manufacturing of bows, arrows, boats, tanks, medicine, instruments and their accompanying musical notes and finally writing. His wife Leizu is said to have taught women how to rear silkworms.

Huangdi's grandson Zhuang Xu ascended to the throne at the age of 20. Through political and religious he achieved the integration of different tribes and reigned over them for 78 years.

Zhuang Xu's son Di Ku followed, fostering prosperity over his 70 year reign.

Yaodi is the inventor of the calendar.

Shun is the last of the five legendary emperor. He developed agriculture, a flood management system and he formed the beginnings of the State system.

The Abdication System and the Wise

Several virtuous tribal chiefs such as Yao and Shun step forth after Huangdi and are known for introducing the abdication system (Shan Rang). The Shan Rang is a system for democratically electing the tribe's chief. The title of Emperor is transmitted to the most virtuous of the wise. During his reign, Yao consulted the four tribal chiefs to choose his successor. This system was used until Yu but his son adopted hereditary rule changing the way power was transmitted and the system of abdication disappears.

The Irrigation Works by Yu the Great

Yu the Great is the most respected of the ancient time emperors. Legend has it that during the reign of Yao, the basin of the Yellow River was often prone to flooding. Yu constructed canals to drain the waters of the river into the sea. During the works, he developed several measuring instruments and new methods. He managed to succeed where everyone had failed: solving the irrigation problem.

The Dragon Totem

Fu Xi, the first king described in the ancient Chinese books was said to have lived 6,500 years ago. Legend has it that he created his capital in Wan Qiu and dominated nine tribes. Each tribe has its own totem (python, deer, tiger, crocodile, lizard, carp, eagle, whale and shark). At the first alliance of the nine Hua Xia tribes, Fu Xi combined the nine totems. He created a new totem with the body of a python, a crocodile's head, a deer's horns, a tiger's eyes, a lizard's legs, an eagle's claws, a carp's shell, a shark's tail, a whale's whiskers, and named "Long" (the Dragon). Gradually, the Dragon totem became a symbol of integration and Chinese unification, and also that of the empire. The Dragon is described as a sacred powerful animal. It takes the form of all animals. It is the quintessence of nature, the emblem, and the spiritual sign of the Chinese nation. It is the bond that unites all Chinese. It refers to the Chinese nation's tradition, spirit and emotion.